Some notes on the impact of treating AIDS patients in hospices

As part of a larger nation-wide study of attitudes of hospice personnel, we incorporated questions about patient autonomy and economic justice in which we asked the respondents to share their beliefs about AIDS patients compared to patients terminally ill with other diagnoses. The convenience sample of 826 hospice workers, 76% of whom were clinical professionals (nurses, physicians, social workers) rated terminally ill patients and those with AIDS the same in terms of right to refuse life sustaining medical therapy. Although over one half believed that we are not currently spending enough on the care of AIDS patients, 25% thought that we spend too much on those terminally ill with other diagnoses. Issues of survival time, costs of care, and staff concerns about treating AIDS patients in hospices are briefly discussed.